I grew up in a world where I consistently heard "You'll love looking younger when you're older!" or "Wait, you're how old?! Wow, never would've guessed..." or "Aw, look at how small and short you are!" Thank you, because I was completely unaware until today of how young I look and how short I am. But I don't think they realize this ever-lasting baby face curse isn't a positive thing until I am in my mid-forties, and until then, my life consists of justifying my age for all the things I am perfectly eligible for and endless "You look so young!" jokes.
Here are 20 struggles of someone who looks younger than his/her age:
1. People can literally never guess your age correctly, and they are always aiming for about five years younger.
2. Everyone assumes you're a kid.
3. Constantly having to deal with peoples' shocked reactions when they find out your actual age.
4. People think you're lying when you say your age.
5. Every location that sells alcohol double-checks your ID to see if it's fake.
6. You will always be the "kid" of your friend group.
7. Your relatives continue to pull your cheeks and say things like "Beta, bilkul bade bahi bue bit!"
8. You always have to have your ID on you, because even going to see an R-rated movie is a struggle.
9. People assuming you're a freshman in college.
10. You're sick of looking like a kid in front of your boyfriend/girlfriend.
11. You're tired of the "you won't get it" look from your friends when they complain about looking old.
12. You're never taken as seriously in the work place.
13. You have to avoid wearing outfits that make you look younger than your age.
14. If you're the oldest sibling, people confuse you as the younger one.
15. Being hit on by people much younger than you.
16. Feeling like you should overcompensate for a young appearance with grown-up style.
17. Wearing uncomfortable heels to just make yourself look older.
18. Always have a judgmental older ladies glaring at you, all confused.
19. Getting into a casino is almost too much work.
20. Booking a hotel is problematic.
